	Ministry of Health
	Health Sector Reform Programme of Trinidad & Tobago Bringing Healthcare closer to you !

Eastern Regional Health Authority

SOME MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS

1^stFOUR (4) YEARS : 1995 TO 1999

Upgrading of 13 Health Centres, 3 Wards at the Sangre Grande Hospital, Walkways & other areas of the Hospital using an allocation of $715,000, originally earmarked to upgrade 2 Health Centres.
Commissioning of the New Mayaro Health Facility to include new services such as Dental, X-ray, Family Planning and a 24 hour doctor based Emergency Service.
Commissioning the New Matelot Health Centre.
Upgraded Ambulance Service/Fleet from five (5) broken down vehicles to ten (10) well maintained & reliable units.
Appointment of senior & key long standing vacancies throughout the Health Facilities.
Several Health Promotion activities with Focus on Youth Sexuality & AIDS, and Community based well weight management Programmes at five (5) of our Health Centres including Guayaguayare, Mayaro, Valencia, Manzanilla & Cumuto.
Obtained non-qualified Audited Reports from the Auditor General for 1995, 1996 & 1997. (Awaiting Audit Results for 1998 & 1999).

1999 to 2001

Improved Radiology Services

- New/Modern equipment and backup equipment installed at the Sangre Grande Hospital.

- Additional services introduced include -: Barium Studies & Ultrasounds.

- New/Modern equipment at Mayaro Facility.

Immunization/Vaccination

- Continue to achieve excellent coverage ranging between 97% to 100% in counties for

DPT, Polio, Yellow Fever, Measles, Mumps & Rubella.

Improved Ambulance Service

- RHA Fleet increased to 10 (including 2 donated Ambulances; one from Petrotrin and another from Hamilsons)

- Appointment of a Fleet Supervisor, introduction of Preventative Maintenance and ongoing training for Drivers.

- The Emergency Ambulance Service Pilot Project was introduced to the Eastern Region in October 2000.

Currently 4 Base Stations; 1 each at Rio Claro, Mayaro, Toco and Sangre Grande.

Improved Public Health Safety

- Public Health Inspectorate intensifying and increasing efforts in preventing food borne diseases by :

Introduction of inspections for night vendors and weekend vendors;
Introduction of a structured programme for kitchens on offshore platforms;
Intensified efforts in regular food vending/premises;
Easter Weekend beach activities
School Inspections.
Fees charged for inspections/certificates used to fund the improvement and development of the Inspectorate.

Introduction of General Practitioner Clinic at Rio Claro

- 40 Hours/Week (8 Hrs Mondays to Fridays). Medical Doctor for G.P. Services introduced and working well.

Introduction of Quality Improvement System

- Appointment of Quality Officers viz: Customer Relations Officers, Quality Co-ordinators to

uncover deficiencies in health care delivery and form the platform for improvement interventions.

- Client Feedback system introduced at all Facilities.

- Preparing for Accreditation of Health Facilities

- Assisting with the development and introduction of Patient Rights Charter.

Renovations/Rebuilding of Health Facilities

The Cumana Health centre was completely rebuilt and re-opened to the public on July 10^th 2001.

The new facility will allow for -:

- 7 other Health Centres currently under major renovations for recommissioning by September/October 2001.

- New equipment ordered for all Centres

New HIV/AIDS Services

- Introduction of a programme aimed at reducing mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS.

- Laboratory support in HIV Quick Test.

- Positive mothers provided with appropriate treatment until delivery.

- Continued treatment for babies, until confirmed negative.

Breast feeding Initiatives for Healthier Babies

- Community Focused/ Hospital Focused – To encourage mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first 6 months.

- Expect Sangre Grande Hospital to achieve Baby Friendly Status by November 2001.

Improved Laboratory Services at Sangre Grande Hospital

Newly introduced tests include - :